Owner of NY limo company involved in crash that killed 20 is sentenced to five years in prison
The former manager of a limousine company whose vehicle was involved in a crash in rural New York that killed 20 people was sentenced to between five and 15 years in prison.
Nauman Hussain, 33, was convicted of 20 counts of manslaughter this month after prosecutors claimed his company failed to maintain an unlicensed 2001 Ford Explorer limo which failed to brake and reached around 100 mph on a downhill stretch of road near Albany.
The limo, which had been rented by a group celebrating a 30th birthday party, smashed into a shallow ravine and came to a stop on the embankment.
The driver, 17 passengers and two pedestrians were killed. Among them were four sisters and their husbands.
Hussain was sentenced by Judge Peter Lynch, who last year overturned a plea deal that would have seen him avoid a prison sentence.
Hussain stood shackled and wearing an orange jail uniform as his sentence was read in Schoharie County Court on May 31. The state's parole board will determine when Hussain will be released after he serves the minimum.
Limousine company manager Nauman Hussain, 33, was sentenced Wednesday to between five and 15 years in prison
Prosecutors claimed he failed to maintain an unlicensed 2001 Ford Explorer limo that crashed in October 2018 in New York. The driver, 17 passengers and two pedestrians were killed
The incident on October 6, 2018, was the deadliest US road crash since 2009, according to National Transportation Safety Board.
During the wreck, the limousine hurtled down a hill and into a parked Toyota Highlander at 100mph and then struck two pedestrians outside Apple Barrel Café.
The victims included Amy Steenburg, who was celebrating her birthday, and her sisters Abigail Jackson, Mary Dyson and Allison King, as well as their husbands Adam Jackson, Robert Dyson and Axel Steenburg.
Newlyweds Erin and Shane McGowan, Amy Steenburg's brother-in-law, Rich Steenburg, Matthew Coons and Savannah Devonne also died. The driver, 53-year-old Scott Lisinicchia, was also killed.
Pedestrians James Schnurr and his son-in-law Brian Hough died in the incident.
New York State Police said the 2001 Ford Excursion limousine failed to stop at the intersection of State Route 30 and State Route 30A around 1.55pm in Schoharie, near Albany
The incident on October 6, 2018, was the deadliest US road crash since 2009, according to National Transportation Safety Board
Nauman Hussain, who ran the limousine company involved in the 2018 crash that killed 20 people, is pictured in court during a trial in May
Some of the victims' family members were able to address Hussain in court before the judge announced the sentence Wednesday.
'October 6, 2018, is the date forever burned into my heart and soul,' said a tearful Bethany King, who lost four members of her family in the crash.
'You have received a justified guilty verdict while the rest of us here have received a life sentence,' King said to Hussain, who was looking down.
Special prosecutor Frederick Rench told reporters outside the Schoharie County Courthouse that the sentence was what he expected.
'Mr Hussain was required by law to comply with certain regulations. He failed to do so although he knew of the regulations and that they applied to him,' Rench said.
'He failed to abide by them, he failed to follow them and this crash occurred as a result of that.'
'It makes me and my family sick to know that a $2,000 dollar brake repair would have avoided this catastrophe,' said Kevin Cushing, who lost his son Patrick Cushing in the crash. 'Nauman, you're a sorry excuse for a human being.'
Sisters Allison King (back row, second from left) Abby Jackson (front left), Amy Steenburg (front right) and Mary Dyson (back row, on the right of Allison) were all killed in the crash
Amy Steenburg was celebrating her 30th birthday and was killed in the crash along with her husband Axel. The pair are pictured
The limo reached a speed of 100 mph due to its faulty brakes and ended up crashing into a Toyota Highlander and into a ravine by the Apple Barrel country store
Hussain initially pleaded guilty to the charges as part of a plea deal that would have spared him prison time, angering the families of those killed.
The agreement had called for Hussain to plead guilty only to the homicide counts, resulting in five years of probation and 1,000 hours of community service.
Lawyers for both sides said at the time the plea agreement assured a resolution in a case that would have faced an uncertain outcome if presented to a jury.
But in August last year, Lynch, who was not presiding over the case when the deal was made, called the agreement 'fundamentally flawed'.
His rejection caught lawyers and relatives off-guard. Hussein's defense attorney Chad Seigel said he was 'shocked' and that the judge's move was 'unheard of'.
During his trial, evidence was presented indicating that the limo had been allowed to deteriorate and that Hussain's rental company, Prestige Limousine, had taken steps to keep it on the road despite a failed inspection that should have taken it out of service.
The limousine had failed an inspection by the state's DMV the month before the crash, but Hussain removed an out-of-service sticker from the limo's windshield.
State police recovered the sticker from Hussain's personal car after his arrest. Prosecutors have argued that Hussain took the sticker off the limo's windshield so that he could use it for more jobs.
Hussain was arrested after the incident and an initial plea deal that would have sparred him prison time was thrown out by a judge
The National Transportation Safety Board concluded the crash was likely caused by Prestige Limousine's 'egregious disregard for safety' that resulted in brake failure.
The prosecutor's office said Hussain allowed passengers to ride in the limo despite having received 'multiple notices of violations' from the state and having been told repairs were inadequate.
State police said the vehicle should have been taken out of service because of brake problems identified in an inspection a month before the crash.
Board investigators also previously concluded that the rental company avoided inspection rules for oversized vehicles by filing false information about the limo's seating capacity.
Two weeks ago, Hussain was found guilty of 20 counts of second-degree manslaughter by a jury. After having been out on bail during the trial, was remanded into custody following the verdict.
The court had struggled to select a jury from the small rural town as so many people had been affected by the crash.
Schoharie County District Attorney Susan Mallery, Hussain's attorneys and Lynch agreed prior to the trial that a pool of 1,500 potential jurors would be needed - 5 percent of Schoharie County's population.
LIMO CRASH VICTIMS
Amy & Axel Steenburg
The limousine that crashed in October 2018 was headed to a brewery in Cooperstown, New York, to celebrate Amy Steenburg's 30th birthday. Amy was killed alongside her new husband Axel
The limousine that crashed in October 2018 was headed to a brewery in Cooperstown, New York, to celebrate Amy Steenburg's 30th birthday.
Axel, 29, and Amy had just tied the knot in June.
Amy was a nurse for the State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs.
Her three sisters - Allison, Mary, and Abby - were also killed, as were two of their husbands and Axel's brother Rich.
Just days before the crash, Amy had uploaded a post gushing about Axel to Facebook which read: 'I love you more than words can say.'
'You are such an amazing man and entertain all my crazy ideas. Even when I move a couch just to move it back to the original place.'
Amy and Axel had rented a bus from Prestige Limousines. When the bus broke down en route to the brewery, it sent a 2011 Ford Excursion stretch limo in its place.
Abigail & Adam Jackson
Amy's sister Abigail and her husband Adam Jackson were parents to Archer, four, and one-year-old Elle (all pictured together)
Amy's sister Abigail and her husband Adam Jackson were parents to Archer, four, and one-year-old Elle.
'Adam and Abby were amazing parents to these girls and taken much too soon,' the description reads.
'While families will step in and provide loving care for these girls, there will be expenses that we can help with during this time when we otherwise feel so helpless.'
Abigail, or 'Abby' as she was known, was a reading teacher at Lynch Literacy Academy.
She became a teacher because she loved working with children, Rich Peters, president of the Amsterdam Teachers Association, told the Times Union at the time.
'She wanted to help them better their lives,' he said.
Adam was a deputy commissioner with the Montgomery County Board of Elections.
Mary and Bob Dyson
Mary, one of the four sisters killed in the crash, and her husband Rob Dyson left behind a three-year-old son named Issac
Mary, one of the four sisters killed in the crash, and her husband Rob Dyson left behind a three-year-old son.
The couple lived in Watertown, New York, where Mary - who served in the US Army from 2007 to 2013 - worked as an engineer.
She was also a coach at Star Spangled Crossfit, which dedicated a workout to her on Monday.
Issac is now in the care of Rob's mother.
The couple graduated from Clarkson University together in 2007, and the school held a candlelight vigil for them after the crash.
'Clarkson is a tight-knit community,' it wrote in a statement on Facebook at the time. 'All losses like this cause us to come together and reflect on the friendships we've made.'
Allison King
Allison King, pictured with her niece, also died in the tragic crash that left 20 people dead
Allison King, sister to Mary, Abby, and Amy, also perished in the devastating crash.
King was one of four people in the limo who was an alumnus of SUNY Plattsburgh, where she graduated in 2010 with a degree in speech communications.
Barbara Douglas, the sisters' aunt, said the family was completely devastated by their loss.
She described all four sisters, who were aged 30 to 35, as 'beautiful girls, full of life' and said two were mothers.
'They had their whole lives ahead of them,' she said.
Rich Steenburg
Axel's brother Rich, (right) was also killed in the accident. Pictured left, a tribute to all three of the Steenburgs posted on social media
Rich Steenburg, 34, was killed alongside his brother Axel. They both worked at GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor and manufacturing company.
Steenburg's wife Kimberly had planned to go to the birthday party, but canceled at the last minute because she wasn't feeling well.
The couple share two children together, a 10-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy. They recently bought a home together.
Steenburg's family released a statement on Monday evening, saying they had 'suffered tremendous loss that is nothing short of tragic'.
'Those left behind by the perished include children, spouses and parents — among others,' it read.
'We thank all of the first responders who have assisted, those who have reached out with kindness and love and those who continue to support us as we mourn those we lost.'
Erin and Shane McGowan
Erin and Shane McGowan were one of two pairs of newlyweds in the tragic limo crash
Erin and Shane McGowan were one of two pairs of newlyweds in the tragic limo crash.
Shane, 30, and Erin, 34, had only just tied the knot in June 2018 after dating for three years.
McGowan was an administrative assistant at St Mary's Healthcare in Amsterdam.
She had recently been thinking of going back to school to become a billing administrator, according to her aunt Valerie Abeling.
'They had everything going for them,' Abeling said. 'She was a beautiful, sweet soul. He was too. They were two very young, beautiful people.'
Anthony Vertucci, Erin's uncle, spoke of the 'darkness and devastation' that had hit his family and shared photos of his niece's wedding day in a heartbreaking tribute.
'My heart has stopped,' he wrote. 'Unspeakable tragedy that I can't comprehend and will never come to terms with.'
'I just wanted all of you to see pictures of Erin and Shane, these two beautiful and amazing people, on the best and happiest days of their lives.'
It was Erin who had texted both Abeling and her friend Melissa Healey about the state of the limo before it crashed.
McGowan told Abeling the limo was in 'terrible condition', and texted Healey that the motor was 'making everyone deaf'.
Patrick Cushing and Amanda Halse
Patrick Cushing, Erin's cousin, was killed in the crash alongside his girlfriend Amanda Halse
Patrick Cushing, Erin's cousin, was killed in the crash alongside his girlfriend Amanda Halse.
Cushing, as the 31-year-old was lovingly called by friends, worked in the technology office of New York's state Senate.
At the time, Senate Leader John Flanagan described Cushing as an 'extraordinary' employee and 'wonderful young man'.
Cushing also played for Team USA Dodgeball, and his team said he was full of 'unconditional kindness' and the ability to 'make friends of his fiercest competitors'.
The team plans to retire Cushing's number in his honor.
Halse, 26, worked as a waitress in Watervliet and was a 'very strong and independent person', according to sister Karina.
'She didn't like it when other people did things for her,' she added. 'She would be the one to initiate things.'
Karina, who had been texting with Amanda just as she was stepping into the limo, said the couple were 'two peas in a pod'.
'I feel like my heart is sunken,' she added. 'It's in a place where I've never felt this type of pain before.'
Matthew Coons and Savannah Devonne
Matthew Coons, a US Army veteran, was killed alongside his girlfriend Savannah Devonne
Matthew Coons, a US Army veteran, and his girlfriend Savannah Devonne were among the victims of last year's crash.
Coons had been a groomsman at Axel's wedding in June.
He lived with Savannah and his sister, a single mother with two daughters who he helped financially support.
Suzanne Douglass, Coons' aunt, said he had a 'huge golden heart'.
'He will be sorely missed by his sister and her children,' she said. 'He made their life very joyful with his very sweet disposition.'
Savannah graduated from Hartwick College in 2015 with a degree in political science and business administration.
She was a volleyball player and a member of the Phi Sigma Phi sorority.
'There are no words that can heal the friends and family of Savannah's pain as a single moment has now changed their lives forever,' her sorority sisters wrote in a tribute.
Amanda Rivenburg
Amanda Rivenburg, a friend of Amy's, spent the last seven years working for Living Resources, a New York nonprofit for people with disabilities
Amanda Rivenburg, a friend of Amy's, spent the last seven years working for Living Resources, a New York nonprofit for people with disabilities.
Steve Klein, the organization's associate executive director, said she was beloved by all her colleagues.
'She was passionate about her work, and everyone relied on her for guidance,' he said.
Frank Prevratil, Amanda's supervisor, said she was a 'young susperstar'.
'Amanda met her actual calling,' he said. 'Her calling was to serve the population and she did.'
'She was dedicated and wonderful and kind.'
Rachael Cavosie
Rachael Cavosie also perished in the tragic limousine accident. Alyssa Cavosie, Rachael's cousin, said she was a soul that 'touched so many lives'
Rachael Cavosie also perished in the tragic limousine accident.
Alyssa Cavosie, Rachael's cousin, said she was a soul that 'touched so many lives'.
'She gave me so much guidance,' Alyssa wrote in a touching Facebook tribute.
'Even though she was the younger cousin, I looked up to her and often sought her advice throughout my life.'
Rachael is survived by her parents, a sister, and two brothers.
Michael Ukaj
Michael Ukaj, 34, was one of three US Army veterans who died in the horrific crash
Michael Ukaj, 34, was one of three US Army veterans who died in the horrific accident.
Ukaj, a US Marine Corps veteran who served one combat tour in Iraq, was killed on his birthday.
His mother, Mary Ashton, had tried to call and wish him a happy birthday nearly at the exact time the crash occurred.
'You were such an inspiration when you wanted to join the Marine Corps,' Ashton wrote in a tribute to her son, who enlisted at age 17, on Facebook.
'Thank you for your combat service and for being my son. I love you forever.'
Ashton told the Times-Union that Ukaj suffered with severe PTSD from his time in combat, but that he was 'very happy and enjoyed life'.
'He posted pictures of him with friends, skeet shooting and having bonfires,' she said.
'He was fixing up my parents' house and enjoying his life.'
Brian Hough and James Schnurr
SUNY Oswego associate professor Brian Hough (pictured) and his father-in-law James Schnurr were the two pedestrians who were killed during the limo crash
James Schnurr was Brian's father-in-law and the other pedestrian involved in the crash
Brian Hough and his father-in-law James Schnurr were the two pedestrians who were killed during the limo crash.
The pair were in the parking lot of Apple Barrel Country Store when the limo ran a stop sign at a dangerous intersection and came barreling through, striking them.
Hough, who had a PhD in geological sciences, was an associate geology professor at SUNY Oswego. He leaves behind a wife and an eight-year-old son.
Atra Hough, Brian's mother, said he was a 'warmhearted, wonderful person' who loved teaching and working with students.
Brian's aunt, Katie Kent, said the family was 'absolutely devastated' at the 'incomprehensible loss'.
'My nephew was an accomplished professor, an amazing husband, and daddy. Our family is trying to make sense of this,' she wrote.
SUNY Oswego President Deborah Stanley released a statement at the time that said Brian was a 'major part' of the campus' family.
'He was a dedicated faculty member who inspired his students to learn and understand at a deep level, and whose contributions were often sought by his colleagues,' she said. 'He will be missed and remembered fondly by all, always.'
Scott Lisinicchia
Scott Lisinicchia, 53, was the driver behind the wheel of the 2001 Ford Excursion that crashed on Saturday. He is pictured here with his wife Kim
Scott Lisinicchia, 53, was the driver behind the wheel of the 2001 Ford Excursion that crashed.
'It hurts me to a core to have to bury my husband,' Lisinicchia's wife, Kim, wrote in a tribute on Facebook.
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